A Music-related blog containing information and commentary of my favorite music, as well as some choice downloads of quality, hard-to-find music (unofficial releases, ROIO's, concert bootlegs, etc.) available on the web.

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Marillion1986-01-08Hammersmith Odeon, London, EnglandSoundboard Recording, very good quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Moving on to some of the progressive bands that were not part of the original progressive era in the '70's but came later and kept the progressive flame burning through later years. In the 1980's, new bands such as Marillion, Saga, IQ, and Pendragon continued on in the progressive tradition, as several other bands, such as Dream Theater, Fates Warning, and Porcupine Tree, moved into a heavier, more progressive metal sound. Here is Marillion, a British band that became popular in the mid-Eighties, with obvious influences and inspiration from Genesis, but who forged their own way forward, delivering a 1980's version of classic progressive rock. Their commercial breakthrough came with their third album, Misplaced Childhood (1985), which went to #1 in the UK, with multiple hit singles. Now exposed to a much wider audience, their next album, Clutching at Straws (1987), was also a big hit, receiving popular and critical acclaim. However, an excessive touring schedule and constant pressure from the band's management led to the departure of their charismatic lead singer, frontman, and lyricist, Fish, in 1988. The band continued with the addition of Steve Hogarth, who had a very different style from Fish, and thus the style and sound of the band also changed (somewhat more pop-oriented) from that point on. Although their next couple albums struggled to regain their previous success, they bounced back with their seminal concept album, Brave (1994), and through the subsequent years, although not as commercially successful, they have maintained a strong fanbase that has kept them going strong, right up to the present. They have released 18 studio albums (most recent, F.E.A.R. - 2016) and countless live albums. Here is a great-sounding show from the old days with Fish, on their Misplaced Childhood tour in 1986.This recording did not include all songs played, however, (other songs played included the Intro piece 'The Thieving Magpie', 'Punch and Judy', and 'Market Square Hero' as a closer), so I have added 'Market Square Hero' from another show that year at the end to recreate the natural end of the show.

OK, to finish up this look at the career of guitarist Steve Hackett, and to bring things right up to present day, here is a unique intimate show from last December (2018), where Steve and basically a chamber ensemble of Rob Townsend, Roger King, and John Hackett play an entire acoustic show at Trading Boundaries, the UK venue that is a restaurant, antiques showroom, and has in recent years become a haven for intimate concerts of progressive music. This was such an interesting and unique show that I just had to include it here. But first, to catch us up on Steve, He continued to tour through most of 2018, through the U.S., South America, and Europe, Then in October played a series of shows in the UK with full Orchestra backing, and ending with a couple acoustic shows at Trading Boundaries in December. Somehow amidst all that touring, he also managed to record a new album, At The Edge of Light, which was released in January 2019. The rest of 2019 looks to be just as eventful as well, starting with a couple of Cruise shows (see below for more info) in February, and the beginning of his 2019 tour, which will feature playing the entire Selling England By The Pound album and celebration of 40th Anniversary of Spectral Mornings, and span through Europe, Scandinavia, USA, Canada, and the UK throughout the year. But the show presented here is very unique, not only in the intimate, informal coffeehouse atmosphere, but also in the style and setlist of the songs played. A wonderful experience and great recording of this unique event.

Cruise to the Edge: Another unique experience that Steve Hackett has participated in in recent years is the Cruise to the Edge, an actual voyage on a Cruse ship that features nearly round the clock live shows from a plethora of Progressive rock artists and acts, from classic bands such as Yes, Soft Machine, Brand X, PFM, and Steve Hackett, to newer and lesser-known bands carrying on the tradition of Progressive rock today. These Cruises have been conducted each year in February over the past several years, leaving from Tampa FL, traveling to Key West and Cozumel, and back, with a packed schedule of concerts every day. Billed as "The Greatest Prog Rock Vacation on Earth" (here is the Cruise website:cruisetotheedge.com). Fortunately, for all of us intrigued by this but who can't actually go on these Cruises, many audience recordings shows from the most recent Cruises (including 2014, 2017, 2018, and just out, 2019, thanks primarily to Lostbrook 2.0!). I don't have time or space to post them here, but they are available to download at the G101 Lossless Forum (just search for Lostbrook or Cruise to the Edge). Once again this year, Steve was part of the show, along with many great old and new bands worth checking out. Just shows how Progressive music is staying alive and vital right through today.

About This Blog

This site respects and supports artists and artist rights. Please support the artists by purchasing their officially released music through normal channels. The music files, information, and downloads linked here represent unreleased recordings that are not available through any official channels. This music is meant to supplement (and not replace) the currently available official releases for fans that want to explore deeper into an artists repertoire than is possible through official releases only (through demos, outtakes, alternate versions, and concert recordings). The music linked here is presented for sampling and evaluation purposes. By all means, if you enjoy the music from any artists represented here, please buy their official releases. All music files linked here are freely available elsewhere on the internet and no music files are stored at this site. I hope you find new music to enjoy here.

If any artists or representatives of the artists object to anything I have posted here, please send me an email (address below) letting me know and I will promptly remove it (I only request that you contact me directly rather than pursuing any DMCA notification or legal action).

If anyone has any other questions, comments, or information you would like to send me or the blog via email, here is the address. Of course, for comments directly related to particular posts, please use the individual post comments (and I would love to get more comments on the posts, not just to get thanks, but to get more feedback on just what people think about the various music offered here). But if there are other things not related to specific posts, or that you don't want available for all to see, by all means send an email to the blog.